Minn. health insurance panel assesses next steps

A Minnesota task force helping craft a health insurance marketplace is discussing its next steps.

The task force, which is advisory in nature, planned to convene Tuesday for an update on the consumer-oriented project.

Minnesota has already declared it will set up a health care marketplace to help people and small businesses get private insurance. Other states have balked at the idea because leaders object to President Barack Obama's health law that inspired the exchanges.

Minnesota has received more than $70 million in federal grants to develop its own exchange, and much of the state's progress report is online for consumers to see.

The state is seeking another $39 million grant to finish developing the exchange, which should provide an Internet-based system to compare costs and buy health insurance plans.

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